Reviews

Darkstalker by Tui T. Sutherland

violet_reader's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

random_spider's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

4.0

Felt good to be back in Tui T Sutherland's world since I finished the main series. Although this didn't resonated with me, I could still tell that it's one of the better written books compared to it's peers. No doubt why this a reader's favorite.

"The hardest thing about a seer," she'd said, "is that the future is always a million possibilities — I can see so many ways my life could possibly go. But the past is only one thing. Once something happens, that's it. I can't change it anymore. I can't do anything. All my possibilities narrow into one fixed life, and then we're trapped in that world. I think I can control the future, but the past — it's gone. I can't fix it anymore."

Synopsis and/or Premise:
- Over 2000 years before the events of the first Wings Of Fire book, we follow the origins of three dragons: Fathom (a young animus Seawing prince), Clearsight (a Nightwing dragonet and the most powerful seer), and Darkstalker (the forbidden offspring of a Nightwing and an Icewing, and also inherited the animus power of his father.) Different lives but fate intertwined, each of them must make their moves for the future of animus magic.

Strengths:
1. Unique narrative format.
2. Focused on riveting protagonists.
3. Beautiful slice of mystery.
4. Relevant topics/themes/allegory.

Flaws:
1. Pacing was a major flaw.
2. Not optimally written chapters.
3. A little too short.

Remarks and Rating:
- In retrospective, this was written as a middle-grade fantasy series. I'll analyze with that major factor.
- This book was THE animus book that perfectly embellished the Wings of Fire ARC 2. It's quite creative, extraordinary, and took risks (with 3 protagonists.) It stands out from the others as a result.
- I have to give praise 🙌 on the effort of crafting intriguing protagonists despite cramped into a single novel:
1. Fathom - Enveloped by guilt and fear of being an animus it destroyed his everyday living. He did got a chance to open and be 'redeemed', but his thirst for them blinded him from his utmost duty.
2. Clearsight - Overwhelmed by her enhanced future-seeing seer ability, she found it difficult to focus on the present. She learned that she needed to be more proactive.
3. Darkstalker - Growing from an unstable household, he wanted to improve his life as well as others. However, he believed his questionable means we're justified. He's a perfect example of a manipulator and sort of an Anti-Villain, and had cemented himself to be the best Wings of Fire antagonist without debate.
- I have to admit...this book cleared some confusions within book 9 and 10.
- I admired 🫡 its commentary on the topics of Power and Inhibiting Sociological Perspectives for younger audiences, among others.
- I just love every scavengers scenes (which makes me excited for Wings of Fire Legends: Dragonslayer since they were the perspectives.)
- I ♥️ Whiteout.
- I'll give this a comfortable 8/10.

lise__'s review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

lives_inbooks's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

4.5

fowl_47's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.5

mora55's review against another edition

5.0

i think i appreciated this book much more this time than the first time i read it. clearsight and darkstalker's relationship is >>> and it's just? so unique? like they've known each other for years before they met each other and it's as if they'd known each other for many more and very intimately before actually meeting because of the visions and i just. think that's cool kfjsdf.

darkstalker's descent into evil was very well done imo. like we know he'll end up being bad bc this is a prequel but like,, you can't help but root for him, if not for his own sake then for clearsight's.

clearsight is my favorite and i think her powerful visions and the way they're set up and the way "telling the future" as a whole is framed in this book/world are so cool and just,, how clearsight bases her life around them? even decisions a few moments into the future. and all her conflicting thoughts about darkstalker and how she can see those horrible futures and still have to choose to love him and how far is too far etc etc.

also whiteout is very fun i wish we saw more of her

i also thought it was interesting to see the state of the world 2000 years prior to the events of the main arcs and how fundamental things were different and then further how things referenced in the "future" actually played out in the past and how they line up and how they differ. also i've been LOSING MY MIND this entire reread at all the details planted throughout the series and how they connect to past things and foreshadow other things and just,, all the details are so tight and everything connects to something else it's just so neat to go through knowing what happens and see all that planted i'm So impressed

wisteria1111's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

ITS AMAZING,  but it does have some minor plot holes that are forgiveable, mostly 

owlxplore's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Ahhhh the lore!!! This is probably the darkest book in the entire Wings of Fire series, but it’s also my favourite XD This book uncovers a lot about the Nightwings and how they ended up so isolated from society. The characters are awesome, the plot is amazing, the cover art is so cool!!! 
‼️If you haven’t read Darkstalker, read it‼️

bridging's review against another edition

3.0

I actually enjoyed this book greatly. Listed to it with the kids, and it is interesting how such a concept of duality and relativism are introduced in a book for relatively young children. Darkstalker, if you are familiar with the Wings of Fire books, is a super villain, but when you listen to him reason out why he takes certain actions he is actually making a lot of sense. The difference between intent and impact is already introduced in this book, and it is interesting to see the kids navigate the evil vs the good. I enjoyed this more than other books.

ghostly_cat's review

adventurous emotional reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5